A Look Into A Career in Nursing
If you take a look at the Sunday classified ads pages it may seem that there are pages designated only for Registered Nurses (RNs). As a matter of fact there are more RN positions today than any other healthcare occupation. To be specific, now there are 2.6 million RNs working in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. RNs are in high demand and if you consider a job in healthcare seriously, becoming an RN is an excellent option for you with great employment possibilities and corresponding salaries.
What is a Registered Nurse, and how come there are so many RN positions out there? Well, a Registered Nurse is a nurse who holds a college degree and who has passed a national licensing examination. Nursing programs include courses in Chemistry, Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition and Psychology, and most nursing schools require at least a few years of clinical experience for applicants.
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For specific RN positions education and experience are the most important factors. You might consider completing a Bachelor's degree program as in many healthcare positions nowadays this is an absolute requirement, You will need it for administrative functions, as well as for jobs in more complex areas where extensive clinical experience is demanded. There are also more and more positions where RNs are required to hold a master's degree. These jobs include the positions of nurse practitioner, certified nurse anesthetist or certified nurse midwife.
Registered Nurses are educated to encourage good health, to prevent diseases and assist patients in times of illness. They are excellently trained so that patients will receive the appropriate care. They are trained to have a good understanding for detail and must have over-average writing skills, as they frequently and in many circumstances are required to write detailed medical or behavioral documents, response to medication or follow directions of doctors, surgeons and other specialists.
As the population continues to grow and get older, and as medical technology keeps on developing, it may be evident that the job outlook for RNs is more than bright. The percentage of RNs that are employed in hospitals is around 60. The remaining 40% work in various healthcare institutions such as community or home healthcare centers, other nursing care facilities, or in administrative positions such as insurance and pharmaceutical companies.
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There are many more sectors in which RN jobs are expected to increase significantly. Technological development and requirements from insurers to avoid in-hospital nursing care as well as advances in medicine are responsible for an increased provided home healthcare. You will see an overall increase in positions for RNs engaging in providing care and perform medical procedures in outpatient facilities and circumstances.
The variety in RN positions, the growing number of RNs needed all across the country, the excellent career opportunities make that many organizations now offer high salaries and major bonuses to attract qualified and well educated Registered Nurses.
